Every year, GLSS advocates for and protects elders within the community who need our help. GLSS is deeply committed to protecting the safety and dignity of elders.

Our Protective Services team investigates reports of elder abuse or neglect, including situations of self-neglect. When intervention is needed, we provide intensive casework services to elders and their families. We are available 24 hours a day.

Beginning July 1st, 2017 the Executive Office of Elder Affairs will centralize the Elder Protective Services abuse reporting system (elder abuse hotline) to a single phone number.

The 24/7 single phone number will simplify the process for elder abuse reporting. All calls (day or night, 7 days a week) will go directly to the Massachusetts-based call center at 1-800-922-2275, regardless of the location of the reporter or the elder.

While the initial report intake will be centralized, all reports will continue to be referred to and handled by local Protective Services Agencies for screening, investigation, and service planning.

Our Long-Term Care Ombudsman program regularly sends trained volunteers into all area nursing and rest homes. We speak with residents of any age about their care, make sure their rights are respected, and work to resolve problems.

Our Older Battered Women’s Program provides help to women 50 years of age and older throughout the North Shore who are victims of partner abuse by providing confidential one-on-one and group counseling and connections to many other services. This unique program is a joint effort between GLSS, Healing Abuse Working for Change of Salem, and Neighborhood Legal Services of Lynn. For more information, contact the Program Director at 781-599-0110 or glssobwp@glss.net; the HAWC Hotline at 978-744-6841; or the Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs Protective Services Hotline 24 hours a day at 1-800-922-2275.

All Advocacy program services are free. If you don't see a program that fits your special circumstances, contact our Information & Referral department at 781-599-0110 or call the Massachusetts 24-Hour Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275. All referrals are treated confidentially—we never disclose who requested help for an elder—and unless there are questions about competency or outside pressure, elders can always decline help.